RIDGWAY – The Pennsylvania State Police would like to remind citizens that with the start of summer and rising temperatures, pets should not be left unattended in vehicles.

In a very short time, the interior of a vehicle can exceed a temperature safe for a pet. Failure to properly care for a pet can lead to a criminal charge for animal cruelty, state police said.

A first offense constitutes a summary violation, which results in a $300 fine and up to 90 days in jail. A second offense is a misdemeanor of the third-degree, which carries penalties and a criminal history.